Imogen Heap - First Train Home (Epic Records)

Written when Imogen Heap felt "her heart wasn't in it" at a party, 'First Train Home' is the first single to be taken from her top 40 album, Ellipse.

Inspired by a party she was so desperate to leave she caught the first train home. And yet none of that emotion and desire has been reflected in the composition. Instead, the pleasant repetition, the jaunty rhythms and concordant harmonies paint a picture that is quite simply 'nice' - the musical equivalent of a conversation merely made up of chit-chat.

Ellipse debuted at number one in the iTunes download chart, suggesting Heap is now reaching out to a more mainstream audience. And compared with some of her back catalogue, First Train Home is much poppier, with the repeated chorus and bridge being reminiscent of Enya. The subject matter too is universal, as everyone at some point has been desperate to catch the first train/bus home to escape from an uncomfortable or awkward situation.

But with none of the emotion or depth of her previous work, it doesn't have the same soulful resonance that is almost synonymous with Imogen Heap's name. And so, at the end of the day, the track is simply found lacking.

Rating: 2.5/5

Send this page to a friend | Gig ticket

Ticket listing and gig dates

BUY THIS MUSIC RELEASE


Artist: Imogen Heap Title: Speak for Yourself Released: 01/11/2005 Buy Now \| View Details	Artist: Imogen Heap Title: Ellipse Released: 25/08/2009 Buy Now \| View Details

RELATED CONTENT ON THE DAILY MUSIC GUIDE

18/10/2009
Reviews

Imogen Heap - First Train Home (Epic Records)
Comfortable, safe and yet slightly lacking in soul - 'First Train Home' wows the masses but offers no deeper insight.

30/07/2009
Reviews

Imogen Heap – Ellipse (Megaphonic)
The Grammy nominated, classically trained Essex singer returns with her third self-produced album.

03/09/2010
Weblink

Imogen Heap's official website
http://www.imogenheap.com

03/09/2010
Weblink

Imogen Heap on MySpace
http://www.myspace.com/imogenheap

YOUR COMMENTS

Pascal Hargrove in Dallas, TX writes...
Mary Stokes, your opinion is your opinion, but "lacking" is not a word I would even come close to describing Imogen Heap's 'First Train Home'. The song could have many different meanings to someone that at first didn't know the story behind the song, as was in my case, and I'm actually insulted as a fan you describe any of her music in that way whatsoever. You are obviously not a fan and really don't know how to truly enjoy her music as well as her vocals without insulting the subject matter of the song. Who cares what it's about? In this case, it's the beauty of her vocals and the music she creates (on her own, I may add), and that is what you should have focused on instead of throwing the generic "universal" term at her music. Shame on you...

Let everyone know what you think by leaving your comments. Please read our terms and conditions before posting.

Your Name

Location

Comments

STORY DETAILS

Published: 18/10/2009 at 02:47
Author: Mary Stokes
Links: Permanent Link

Articles

Blog

MULTIMEDIA CONTENT New!

Search on Spotify

Watch Video on YouTube

CITYBREAK SPONSORS